Dale’s first game in this season’s EFL Trophy at home to Liverpool U21 on Tuesday night will be refereed by GARETH THOMAS.

The Sheffield official was promoted to the National List last season and we saw him twice at Spotland, firstly in September when he refereed our National League Cup group game against Blackburn Rovers U21 and then again in March when Brackley Town were the visitors, both games ending in 3-2 wins for Dale.

Overall, Gareth had a quiet 2025/26, with just nine National League fixtures in total, and his only appointment to date this season was Carlisle United v Hornchurch last month

Photo: Action Images via Reuters